Browns training camp log: Aug. 22

It’s a wrap: The final day of training camp was an eventful one. Coach Pat Shurmur sent off cornerback Joe Haden for what team president Mike Holmgren told SportsTime Ohio was rough play. Haden was back for the late afternoon walk-through.

Camp highlights: The Browns spent much of the morning working on red-zone offense. It was a good day for the offense, with lots of completed passes and few drops. The catch of the day belonged to Mohamed Massaquoi, who made a fingertip grab while managing to stay in bounds. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, dropping back into coverage, intercepted a Colt McCoy pass intended for receiver Jermaine Saffold.

Camp attendance: The Browns averaged 2,653 fans during the 14 camp sessions opened to fans, their highest total since they began tracking the figure in 2005. The previous mark was 2,235 fans in 2008. Last year's average was 1,608.

BEREA, Ohio -- As training camp ended Wednesday, rookie QB Brandon Weeden expressed confidence in his knowledge of the playbook. Not that he's ready to run everything in it.

Weeden said there are still some plays he's not comfortable calling in a game, a fact he's communicated to coaches. The quarterback is expected to play about a half of Friday's exhibition against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

"We meet with [coach Pat Shurmur] before the game and we have the game plan in and we will go through the plays and he will say, 'Of these plays which ones do you like the best and which ones are you not a fan of?' So you kind of break it down.

"They are our bosses, but you have to continue to work and communicate. When it's all said and done the bullets are flying at me and I'm the one pulling the trigger."

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said recently one of the keys to his successful rookie season was his quick command of the offense which allowed teammates to gain trust in him. Weeden said he's received positive feedback from the staff regarding the volume of information he's been able to process and retain.

"I've got the entire playbook at my fingertips," he said.

Weeden appeared more in sync with his receivers last week in a 35-10 preseason win at Green Bay. He completed 12 of 20 passes for 118 yards while playing the entire first half.

The quarterback had one of his sharpest days of camp on Wednesday, hitting receivers in stride and throwing multiple touchdowns as the Browns focused on their red-zone offense. Weeden believes all the youngsters have progressed since rookies reported for camp July 24.

"Look at Josh Gordon," he said of the rookie receiver. "Look at him a month ago to where he is today. It doesn't even look [like the same player]. He's finishing plays, he's running at full speed. He's come a long way.

"We've got so many weapons at our disposal but it takes time and it takes reps and it takes confidence. They have to have confidence running the routes most importantly and I have to have confidence pulling the trigger."

Richardson update: Team president Mike Holmgren told SportsTime Ohio "there's a chance," injured running back Trent Richardson will be in the lineup for the regular-season opener against the Eagles on Sept. 9.

Although Holmgren seemed to be hedging his bet, he added the rookie is on schedule in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery and should start running in a pool this week. Richardson, who underwent the procedure on his left knee Aug. 9, is expected to return to the field next week, Holmgren said.

"If it goes according to schedule and there are no setbacks, there's a chance he could be ready to play in the first game," Holmgren said. "As a coaching staff and as an organization you have to be really smart in how you do that.

"As much as we'd all love to see him play, and are looking forward to him playing, we can't rush him back in before he's ready."

Weeden joked that Richardson should be charged rent for spending so much time in the trainer's room rehabbing his knee. Shurmur said he thinks the No. 3 pick in the draft might be ahead of schedule, but would not speculate as to whether Richardson could play in the final exhibition game against Chicago on Aug. 30.

Rucker debut: Defensive end Frostee Rucker is hopeful he will make his preseason debut Friday. He has returned to practice after missing time with what's believed was a right-knee injury.

"[I feel] a lot better and I'm really anxious to finally run out of that tunnel this week," Rucker said. "It's going to be a coach's decision, but I'm putting myself in a position where he's going to be comfortable putting me in a game."

Back at work: Browns play-by-play man Jim Donovan, who missed last week's exhibition game due to illness, attended practice on Wednesday. A team spokesman said Donovan will call the game on Friday night.

Calling it a career: Former Browns guard Eric Steinbachdecided to retire Wednesday after missing all of last season with a back injury. He had attempted a comeback this year with the Miami Dolphins, but was sidelined extensively due to health issues.

Steinbach, 32, played eight NFL seasons, joining the Browns in 2007 after playing his first four seasons with Cincinnati.

"I really enjoyed playing alongside Eric,'' Browns tackle Joe Thomassaid. "He had four great seasons here as a starter. Eric had an outstanding career and I wish him and his family nothing but the best as he moves on to the next chapter in his life.''

Brownies: Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who suffered bruised ribs in Monday's game against New England, is not expected to play the rest of the preseason. But Eagles coach Andy Reid said Vick will be ready for the regular-season opener in Cleveland. ... With training camp over, players were able to check out of the team hotel. Weeden was quite happy with the news.

"Man, I am more than ready. I am 28 and married and you've got bed check at 11. Even if I wanted to go to bed at 10, I can't go to bed because I'm going to get woke up after an hour's sleep."

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